Dublin Core
Title
Tobar an tSolais, The Well of Light
Description of Well Item Type Metadata
1 Name of well and saint
Tobar an tSolais, The "Well of Light"
2 Townland, County, GPS
Killineer Townland, County Louth
3 Physical description of well and its surroundings
This well is very close to the reservoir at Barnattin, and permission to visit must be obtained from Mr. Eamon Briscoe, as of 1998. The spring source is very strong, despite multiple drainage pipes that draw water from the lush site. Ash trees and hawthorn trees, both old and young, guard the site. In the summer, it is described as quite beautiful, where one can see "the light dance and move in the breeze" (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
4 Cure
Though it is supposed to have cured many ailments, but sore eyes were mentioned specifically (Connolly and Moroney, 1998) (The School Collection). A piece of the "guardian" tree of this well (more information in the story) was supposed to be a cure for toothaches (The Schools Collection).
6 Offerings
People used to leave offerings at the well, but it is unclear what they were (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
8 Stories
This well has reportedly moved positions overnight. The story goes that "a local butcher, Patty Sloan, who, despite repeated warnings, polluted the wells by washing the entrails of animals in the water. One night, the well, accompanied by a huge ash tree with hundreds of lighted candles on it, was seen to move through the air, from Balgatheran Townland in Mellifont Parish across the little stream to Killineer Townland, where it settled. The late miss Kathleen Pentony, born 1900, recalled neighbors whose daughter had witness this event. The butcher, stricken by an infirmity, was unable to continue with his work" (Connolly and Moroney, 1998)
Despite a severe drought in 1995, the well continued to flow, quenching the thirst of nearby cattle (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
Despite a severe drought in 1995, the well continued to flow, quenching the thirst of nearby cattle (Connolly and Moroney, 1998).
9 Publications
"Stone and Tree Sheltering Water: An Exploration of Sacred and Secular Wells in County Louth" by Susan Connolly and Anne-Marie Moroney (1998)
The Schools Collection, Volume 0679, pagg 065.
The Schools Collection, Volume 0679, pagg 065.
10 More
A mug used to be kept there to allow visitors to drink from the spring is no longer there. (Connolly and Moroney, 1998)